I have been lucky that I have had a positive learning experience in all my classes both in high school, undergrad, and here in PDP.  If I had to choose which teacher made the biggest impact on me it would be Lara Duke who was my professor during my undergraduate.

 

            The beginning of my post-secondary experience I felt lost.  I started my post–secondary in the associate of science program, and didn’t really know what courses to take or my end goal.  I knew I wanted to be an educator but I didn’t really know how.  This led me to take random courses and courses that society valued highly such as sciences, physics, biology, math, but I lacked the connection in these classes and felt like I was just another student.  This lack of connection translated into a lack of motivation which led to poor grades.  This divested me, I took classes where I would just drop, and finished with a low grade.  I knew I had to press the reset bottom and find my passion, find a program that will provide me with a sense of belonging. 

           

            The next semester I enrolled myself in all different subjects such as, marketing, psychology, English, and biomechanics with the goal that I needed to find a program that I can take interest in.  That course that paved my way was biomechanics which was taught by Lara Duke.  I went from a class that was lecture style with no interactions, to a class that incorporated group work, collaboration, and even basic math which I truly enjoyed.  One of the math concepts that was applied was trigonometry, and a remember a fellow classmate struggling with the Soh Cah Toa principle.  So, I tutored them on how to find angles or length using this method.  The way that Lara structured the class helped me find my motivation back to continue my studies and continue to pursue an education that will lead me to a career in teaching.  During the first few days of class she mentioned she herself wasn’t always good at math and had to retake a few courses before achieving success.  This gave me hope and it made me feel okay with the failures that I have received in the past. 

 

            With the experience gained in Lara’s class, I decided to get into the Sports Science Program, which led me to complete a Bachelors of Education in Physical Health and Education with a Specialization in Kinesiology, and a minor in biology.  During my last semester, I took a course called Integrated Movement Analysis taught by Lara, and thought what a great way to end the program to be in her class again.  The class was very student directed, we learned concept such as qualitative movement diagnosis, and the four task of integrated movement analysis such as preparation, observation, evaluation and diagnosis, and intervention.  I look back now and see that her class was very much structured as inquiry based.  We could look at a sport and movement we were each interested in and this was the driving force to learning.  At the end, everyone learned the content but in their own unique way.  One of the very last assignments was a written assignment.  I remember Lara giving me back my paper and saying, “I write very well, I think you should consider going to graduate school”.  First reaction was pure shock, no one has EVER commented that I write well.  From high school up to the 2 English courses I took in my undergrad I have always struggled with writing, always got a C+ and could never get out of a C+ when it comes to writing.  Up to this day her comment gives me confidence that I will turn out okay.  I idolize the way Lara made a connection and difference in the way I value myself without even knowing.  This is the same impact I want to have on my future students.  I want to create a classroom environment where the activities we do is where they find joy and interest so that they develop a lifelong learning.  Lastly, I want them to know that regardless of what they choose to do, just as long as it is something that they enjoy that even their perceived weakness can be turned into a strength.